Tapestry, a form of textile art traditionally woven on a loom, is a significant cultural artifact in ancient times, often used for decorative and functional purposes. In the context of the Bible, tapestry is not explicitly mentioned frequently, but the concept and its related practices can be inferred from various scriptural references to weaving, craftsmanship, and the use of textiles.

Biblical Context and Symbolism

The art of weaving and the use of textiles are deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, symbolizing skill, beauty, and divine craftsmanship. In the construction of the Tabernacle, for instance, God provided specific instructions for the creation of curtains and coverings, which were to be made with "finely twisted linen, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them" (Exodus 26:1). This description suggests a form of tapestry work, where intricate designs and vibrant colors were woven into the fabric, reflecting both artistic excellence and spiritual significance.

Cultural and Historical Significance

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, tapestries and woven textiles were highly valued for their beauty and utility. They were used in homes, temples, and palaces, serving as wall hangings, curtains, and coverings. The skill of weaving was often passed down through generations, and the ability to create complex patterns and images in fabric was considered a mark of high craftsmanship.

The Proverbs 31 woman is described as one who "makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple" (Proverbs 31:22). This passage highlights the industriousness and skill of the virtuous woman, who engages in the production of high-quality textiles, possibly including tapestry work, as part of her household management.

Spiritual Implications

Tapestry, as a metaphor, can also be seen in the broader biblical narrative of God's intricate and purposeful design for creation and human history. Just as a tapestry is woven with care and intention, so too is the divine plan, with each thread representing individual lives and events that contribute to the overall masterpiece. The Apostle Paul alludes to this concept in Ephesians 2:10, stating, "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life" . Here, the term "workmanship" can evoke the image of a carefully crafted tapestry, underscoring the idea of believers as integral parts of God's grand design.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not frequently mention tapestry by name, the principles and practices associated with it are woven throughout the scriptural text. From the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle to the depiction of the virtuous woman in Proverbs, the art of weaving and the use of textiles serve as powerful symbols of beauty, skill, and divine purpose. Through these references, tapestry emerges as a rich metaphor for understanding God's intricate and intentional work in the world.Tapestry

Cloth for hangings and bed-covers, covered with ornamental needlework, Proverbs 7:16.

1. (n.) A fabric upon which colored threads are woven, the designs being usually more or less pictorial and the stuff employed for wall hangings and the like. The term is also applied to different kinds of embroidery.

2. (v. t.) To adorn with tapestry, or as with tapestry.

TAPESTRY

tap'-es-tri (marebhaddim, from rabhadh, "to spread"): "Carpets of tapestry" are mentioned in Proverbs 7:16; Proverbs 31:22. We have no means of knowing just what form of weaving is here referred to.

See WEAVING.

4765. marbad -- a spread, coverlet
... covering of tapestry. From rabad; a coverlet -- covering of tapestry. see HEBREW
rabad. 4764, 4765. marbad. 4766 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4765.htm - 6k

2405. chatuboth -- dark-hued stuffs
... carved. Feminine passive participle of chatab; properly, a carving; hence, a tapestry
(as figured) -- carved. see HEBREW chatab. 2404, 2405. chatuboth. 2406 ...
/hebrew/2405.htm - 6k

330. etuwn -- thread, yarn
... fine linen From an unused root (probably meaning to bind); properly, twisted (yarn),
ie Tapestry -- fine linen. 329, 330. etuwn. 330a . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/330.htm - 5k

2921. tala -- to patch, spot
... A primitive root; properly, to cover with pieces; ie (by implication) to spot or
variegate (as tapestry) -- clouted, with divers colours, spotted. ...
/hebrew/2921.htm - 6k

8237. shaphrur -- perhaps splendor, pavilion, canopy
... royal pavilion. From shaphar; splendid, ie A tapestry or canopy -- royal pavilion.
see HEBREW shaphar. 8236, 8237. shaphrur or shaphrir. 8238 . ...
/hebrew/8237.htm - 6k

Tapestry Threads.
... III The Lover Wooing (John i. 19-xii. 50) Tapestry Threads. As we unravel
the fabric of John's Gospel there are three threads that ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/tapestry threads.htm

The Bishop of Durham's Tapestry
... Chapter 18. On the Isle of Man; City Road Chapel; Wesley Visits Lorg George
Gordon The Bishop of Durham's Tapestry. Wednesday, 31 ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the bishop of durhams tapestry.htm

Wesley at Scoon and Holyrood
... ruin. Yet there are a few good pictures and some fine tapestry left, in
what they call the Queen's and the King's chambers. And ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley at scoon and holyrood.htm

The Recall to Religion in the Hymns of Charles Wesley
... The french window admitted you to an outer hall, dark with tapestry and crowded
with pictures; from it you entered an inner waiting-room, sandwiched (as you ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/the recall to religion in.htm

The Rent Veil
... It was made of "fine twined linen, with Cherubims of cunning work." This gives the
idea of a substantial fabric, a piece of lasting tapestry, which would have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/the rent veil.htm

St. Gregory the Great.
... Palatine in unbroken greatness, a labyrinth of empty halls yet resplendent with
the finest marbles, here and there still covered with gold-embroidered tapestry ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm

Kingo's Childhood and Youth
... the grandfather of the poet, immigrated from Crail, Scotland, to Denmark about 1590,
and settled at Helsing??r, Sj??lland, where he worked as a tapestry weaver ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter three kingos childhood and.htm

The True Tabernacle, and Its Glory of Grace and Peace
... city? You cannot see within it; but it was all glorious within with precious
wood, and pure gold, and tapestry of many colors. Within ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the true tabernacle and its.htm

The Well-Beloved.
... Himself! Perhaps, when you are at home, you will examine the spouse's description
of her Lord. It is a wonderful piece of tapestry. She ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the well-beloved.htm

In Travel-Worn Garb Vergilius Went Early to See the King. ...
... in which half a cohort could have stood comfortably, in a carved chair on a dais,
under a vault and against a background of blue, Babylonian tapestry, sat the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 13 in travel-worn garb.htm

Tapestry (3 Occurrences)
... The term is also applied to different kinds of embroidery. 2. (vt) To adorn with
tapestry, or as with tapestry. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TAPESTRY. ...
/t/tapestry.htm - 7k

Coverings (7 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Proverbs 7:16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with
carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. (KJV WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/c/coverings.htm - 8k

Carpets (3 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV DBY NAS RSV). Proverbs 7:16 I have spread my couch with carpets of
tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt. (WEB ASV). ...
/c/carpets.htm - 7k

Hanging (82 Occurrences)
... (2.) Hebrews kelaim, tapestry covering the walls of the tabernacle (Exodus 27:9;
35:17; Numbers 3:26) to the half of the height of the wall (Exodus 27:18; Comp ...
/h/hanging.htm - 35k

Bedstead (1 Occurrence)
... to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it"); `eres (Proverbs 7:16, the "strange
woman" says: "I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry"; compare Psalm ...
/b/bedstead.htm - 18k

Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)
... to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it"); `eres (Proverbs 7:16, the "strange
woman" says: "I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry"; compare Psalm ...
/b/bedchamber.htm - 20k

Bed (142 Occurrences)
... to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it"); `eres (Proverbs 7:16, the "strange
woman" says: "I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry"; compare Psalm ...
/b/bed.htm - 52k

Tanner (3 Occurrences)

/t/tanner.htm - 11k

Linen (111 Occurrences)
... It is more likely, however, that it was used for coverings or tapestry (Proverbs
7:16), and possibly in other instances where an even, durable material was ...
/l/linen.htm - 50k

Variegated (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Variegated (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 7:16 I have decked
my bed with tapestry coverlets of variegated linen from Egypt; (DBY). ...
/v/variegated.htm - 6k

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